Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • India’s Hardik Pandya biggest threat to Pakistan, says Umar Gul ahead of T20 game

    India’s Hardik Pandya biggest threat to Pakistan, says Umar Gul ahead of T20 game

    As the cricketing world anticipates the high-voltage India-Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2026, former Pakistani pace bowler Umar Gul has singled out Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the most formidable threat to Pakistan’s ambitions. The much-awaited encounter is scheduled for Sunday at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, where both teams will battle for supremacy in Group A.

    In an exclusive appearance on the Mr Cricket UAE podcast, Gul provided strategic insights into the upcoming contest. He characterized Pandya as exceptionally “calm, composed, and dangerous,” emphasizing that claiming his wicket would be absolutely crucial for Pakistan’s success. “His powerful ball-striking ability and intelligent shot selection truly distinguish him from other players,” Gul remarked, acknowledging Pandya’s match-winning potential.

    While Gul assessed the match as fundamentally balanced with “50-50 chances for both sides,” he suggested Pakistan might hold a slight advantage due to their familiarity with the conditions at R Premadasa Stadium. He noted that these high-stakes encounters typically carry “truckloads of pressure,” which could influence the final outcome.

    The former cricketer also expressed concerns about India’s middle-order performance, observing that it “hasn’t delivered as expected in the last two games.” This vulnerability, according to Gul, is something the Indian team must urgently address against formidable opponents.

    Regarding team selection, Gul speculated that India might include spinner Kuldeep Yadav, considering his impressive record against Pakistan and the Colombo pitch conditions. This move would potentially come at the expense of seamer Arshdeep Singh to maintain batting depth.

    On Pakistan’s internal selection debates, Gul advocated for maintaining consistency despite wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan’s consecutive ducks in the tournament. “The team management should give another opportunity to Usman Khan. They trust him, and that’s why they prefer him over Nafay,” he stated, recommending against experimentation.

    The historical context heavily favors India, who dominate the T20 World Cup head-to-head record with seven victories against Pakistan’s solitary win. Both teams enter this contest undefeated in the tournament so far, with India leading Group A through superior Net Run Rate (+3.050 compared to Pakistan’s +0.932).

  • Italy’s Federica Brignone fastest after first run in women’s giant slalom. Shiffrin sits seventh

    Italy’s Federica Brignone fastest after first run in women’s giant slalom. Shiffrin sits seventh

    CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Italian skiing sensation Federica Brignone has positioned herself for a potential second Olympic gold medal within a week after delivering a commanding performance in the first run of the women’s giant slalom at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

    The 35-year-old veteran, who captured the super-G title just days ago after a 16-year Olympic pursuit, demonstrated exceptional form on the challenging Dolomite Mountains course. Brignone completed the 51-gate run in 1:03.23, establishing a substantial lead over her closest competitors in a field of 76 elite skiers.

    This impressive showing comes less than a year after Brignone suffered a severe fracture to her left leg that required surgical intervention with multiple screws and left her immobilized for weeks. The 2023 world champion in giant slalom has made a remarkable recovery to reach peak form at these Games.

    German skier Lena Duerr trails Brignone by 0.34 seconds, while Italian teammate Sofia Goggia sits third, 0.46 seconds behind. A three-way tie for fourth place at 1:03.97 includes defending Olympic champion Sara Hector of Sweden, Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, and Albania’s Lara Colturi.

    American star Mikaela Shiffrin, the 2018 Olympic champion in this event, finished her first run in seventh position, more than a second behind Brignone. Shiffrin is seeking her first Olympic medal in eight years and aims to rebound from a disappointing fourth-place finish in the combined event earlier in these Games.

    Brignone described her approach: “I tried to attack, to be clean and intelligent on the terrain changes and then toward the end, to anticipate the bumps. It was just a natural reaction for me. I had a proper run and it all came naturally to me.”

    Current World Cup giant slalom leader Julia Scheib of Austria, who sits eleventh after the first run, acknowledged Brignone’s dominance: “Perfect skiing. She likes the snow. I noticed and it was not a huge surprise.”

    Brignone’s four Olympic medals now tie the record for most by an Italian woman in alpine skiing history. With her stellar first run, she stands poised to add a second gold to her collection when competition concludes.

  • Pakistan wins toss and fields in marquee game against India at T20 World Cup. No handshakes again

    Pakistan wins toss and fields in marquee game against India at T20 World Cup. No handshakes again

    COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The highly anticipated Twenty20 World Cup match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan commenced under a cloud of diplomatic strain, as team captains abstained from the traditional pre-match handshake ceremony on Sunday. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to field first in what marks the first encounter between these cricketing nations since last year’s contentious Asia Cup tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

    The absence of ceremonial handshakes has become an unsettling pattern since Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav initially refused the gesture during the Asia Cup, a practice subsequently mirrored in women’s and Under-19 world cup matches. This development occurs against a backdrop of speculation that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had mediated the conflict after Pakistan threatened to boycott the tournament earlier this month.

    India fielded a full-strength lineup with the return of explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who missed the previous match against Namibia due to stomach illness. The team strategy included deploying three specialist spin bowlers—including Kuldeep Yadav, who replaced seam bowler Arshdeep Singh—to adapt to the pitch conditions at R. Premadasa Stadium. Pakistan maintained an unchanged roster from their victory against the United States.

    Meanwhile, tournament developments saw West Indies secure their third consecutive Group C victory with a dominant nine-wicket win over Nepal, qualifying for the Super 8 stage. Fast bowler Jason Holder claimed 4-27 to restrict Nepal to 133-8 before captain Shai Hope’s unbeaten 61 guided the Caribbean team to victory in 15.2 overs.

    The United States kept their slim qualification hopes alive with a 31-run victory against Namibia in Chennai. Sanjay Krishnamurthi’s maiden T20 half-century (68 not out off 33 balls) and captain Monank Patel’s 52 powered the Americans to their tournament-high score of 199-4. Medium-pacer Shadley Van Schalkwyk took 2-30 to maintain his position as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps.

    Despite these developments, all eyes remained fixed on Colombo where the marquee match began at 7 p.m. local time. Pakistan’s captain Agha stated beforehand that the decision to shake hands rested with the Indian players, while Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav remained non-committal when questioned by reporters.

    The match almost didn’t occur after Pakistan’s government considered withdrawing following the ICC’s expulsion of Bangladesh from the World Cup for refusing to play in India due to security concerns. Pakistan ultimately agreed to participate after intensive negotiations with the ICC, preserving what represents a major revenue generator for the international cricket body.

    These tensions reflect deeper geopolitical conflicts that have prevented bilateral series between the nations for years. India hasn’t traveled to Pakistan since 2008, while Pakistan’s last visit to India was for the 2023 ODI World Cup. India maintains a dominant record against Pakistan in T20 matches, having won 12 of their 16 encounters and boasting a 6-1 record in T20 World Cup matches since the inaugural tournament in 2007.

  • Muchova beats Mboko in Qatar Open final to end six-year title drought

    Muchova beats Mboko in Qatar Open final to end six-year title drought

    In a remarkable comeback story, Czech tennis star Karolina Muchova captured the Qatar Open championship on Saturday, defeating Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko 6-4, 7-5 in the final. The victory marks Muchova’s first WTA 1000 title and ends a prolonged six-year period without a tournament win on the professional circuit.

    The 29-year-old Muchova, who reached the French Open final in 2023, has faced significant challenges with multiple injuries throughout her career. Most notably, she was sidelined for ten months following a wrist injury in 2023 that threatened to derail her career entirely. Her previous title came at the Korea Open in September 2019, making this victory particularly meaningful after years of rehabilitation and determination.

    Throughout the match lasting one hour and thirty-four minutes, Muchova demonstrated strategic mastery by varying her rhythm and minimizing unforced errors against her younger opponent. The emotional significance of the moment was not lost on the champion, who expressed relief and joy at rediscovering the winning feeling after such an extended absence from the winner’s circle.

    Despite the loss, 19-year-old Mboko delivered an impressive performance throughout the tournament, defeating fifth seed Mirra Andreeva and second seed Elena Rybakina en route to the final. Her performance is expected to propel her into the world’s top-10 rankings for the first time, signaling the arrival of a new force in women’s tennis.

  • Guehi scores as Man City beat Salford in FA Cup, Burnley upset by Mansfield

    Guehi scores as Man City beat Salford in FA Cup, Burnley upset by Mansfield

    The FA Cup fourth round delivered its trademark blend of predictable dominance and stunning underdog triumphs on Saturday. Manchester City secured expected progression against League Two’s Salford City with a 2-0 victory, while Premier League strugglers Burnley suffered a spectacular 2-1 defeat against third-tier Mansfield Town.

    At the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s rotated squad established control early when Salford defender Alfie Dorrington inadvertently turned Rayan Ait-Nouri’s sixth-minute cross into his own net. The hosts faced a momentary scare when Omar Marmoush’s disallowed goal—incorrectly ruled offside due to the absence of VAR technology in early FA Cup rounds—prompted visible frustration from Guardiola toward match officials.

    Despite Salford’s persistent attacking efforts thwarted by goalkeeper James Trafford’s exceptional saves, City sealed victory through January acquisition Marc Guehi. The former Crystal Palace defender capitalized on a spilled save in the 81st minute, scoring his debut goal for the club under revised eligibility rules that permitted his participation despite previous cup appearances.

    Meanwhile, at Turf Moor, League One’s Mansfield Town engineered one of the competition’s most memorable upsets. After Josh Laurent’s first-half opener for Burnley, the visitors responded through Rhys Oates’ equalizer before captain Louis Reed delivered a spectacular 69th-minute free kick that secured their first victory against top-flight opposition in 55 years.

    In simultaneous action, West Ham United required extra time to overcome League One’s Burton Albion 1-0 through Crysencio Summerville’s sixth goal in seven games. The Hammers endured additional tension after Freddie Potts’ dismissal, while Norwich City comfortably defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in all-Championship contention.

  • Markram powers South Africa to seven-wicket win over New Zealand

    Markram powers South Africa to seven-wicket win over New Zealand

    In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess, South Africa secured a decisive seven-wicket triumph against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup Group D encounter on Saturday. The victory, masterminded by captain Aiden Markram’s explosive batting performance, positions South Africa favorably for advancement to the Super 8 stage with their third consecutive tournament win.

    The match commenced with New Zealand winning the toss and opting to bat first at Ahmedabad’s iconic stadium. South Africa’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Marco Jansen’s exceptional four-wicket haul (4-40), immediately applied pressure on the Kiwi lineup. Jansen’s devastating spell dismantled New Zealand’s top order within the first seven overs, leaving them reeling at 58-3 despite Finn Allen’s brief counterattack of 31 runs from 17 deliveries.

    A middle-order resurgence appeared imminent when Mark Chapman (48) and Daryl Mitchell (32) constructed a stabilizing 74-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Jansen’s return to the attack broke the threatening stand, with Chapman caught brilliantly by Ryan Rickelton at backward point. Despite James Neesham’s late flourish of 23 not out from 15 balls, New Zealand could only manage a competitive yet underwhelming total of 175-7 from their allotted 20 overs.

    South Africa’s response transformed into a batting masterclass as Markram unleashed a devastating assault on New Zealand’s bowling attack. The Proteas captain rewrote the tournament record books by registering the highest individual score by a South African skipper in T20 World Cup history, hammering an unbeaten 86 from just 44 deliveries. His innings featured eight boundaries and four massive sixes, including a remarkable nineteen-ball half-century.

    The chase commenced explosively with South Africa reaching 62-0 within the powerplay, the highest powerplay score of the tournament thus far. Even the dismissals of opening partner Quinton de Kock (20) and Rickelton (21) failed to disrupt Markram’s rhythm. With the required run rate plummeting below six, the captain demonstrated tactical maturity by shifting to strike rotation before David Miller’s unbeaten 24 concluded the match with 17 balls remaining.

    Post-match, Markram emphasized the strategic approach: ‘It’s about managing the game through the right phases. Teams are aggressively targeting the powerplay, and we’d be remiss not to employ that strategy. While it doesn’t always succeed, when executed properly, it positions us advantageously early in the contest.’

    South Africa will complete their group stage campaign against the UAE on Wednesday, while New Zealand faces Canada the previous day, with both matches carrying significant implications for Super 8 qualification.

  • Australia wins the SailGP New Zealand event, overshadowed by a crash which injured 2 sailors

    Australia wins the SailGP New Zealand event, overshadowed by a crash which injured 2 sailors

    AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The Australian SailGP team emerged victorious in the New Zealand leg of the international sailing championship, but the triumph was tempered by a severe collision between New Zealand and French vessels that left two competitors with serious injuries during Saturday’s races.

    Helmsman Tom Slingsby piloted the Australian Flying Roos to first place in Sunday’s three-boat finale, securing the win against Spain and Britain. This outcome creates a tied overall series leadership between Australia and Britain, who had previously taken the opening event in Perth.

    Race organizers implemented unprecedented safety measures for Sunday’s competition, dividing the fleet into two separate groups due to forecasted strong winds. This decision followed Saturday’s historic 13-boat participation—the largest field in SailGP history—where congested course conditions potentially contributed to the high-speed impact between national teams.

    The collision occurred at approximately 90 km/h (56 mph), resulting in significant damage to both vessels. New Zealand crew member Louis Sinclair, responsible for operating the winches as a grinder, sustained compound fractures to both lower limbs. Meanwhile, French strategist Manon Audinet suffered abdominal trauma after being propelled forward with such force that she shattered the steering mechanism of the French craft.

    Medical teams reported successful surgical intervention on Sinclair’s right leg, expressing optimism regarding his recovery trajectory. Both teams have released statements emphasizing their full support for the injured athletes during their rehabilitation processes.

    SailGP authorities have committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation into the incident in collaboration with Team New Zealand. The organization faces additional challenges as both damaged teams race against time to repair their vessels before the next championship round in Sydney, scheduled within the forthcoming fortnight.

    Sunday’s races proceeded under challenging meteorological conditions, with gusty winds preceding an approaching thunderstorm. Competitors recorded peak velocities nearing 102 km/h (63 mph) in the matching 50-foot catamarans throughout the final day of competition.

  • Defiant Denmark challenges US on Olympic ice with hockey as the motivation, not Greenland

    Defiant Denmark challenges US on Olympic ice with hockey as the motivation, not Greenland

    MILAN — In a display of pure determination that transcended geopolitical narratives, Denmark’s national hockey team delivered a spirited performance against the heavily favored United States at the Winter Olympics. Despite ultimately falling 6-3 to their more experienced opponents, the Danish squad demonstrated remarkable resilience by twice taking the lead during the contest.

    The matchup had been preceded by discussions about the complex relationship between the U.S. and Denmark, particularly regarding Greenland’s status as a self-governing Danish territory where independence sentiments run strong. However, Danish players emphatically stated these external factors played no role in their preparation or mindset.

    “We didn’t even mention it within the team,” revealed captain Jesper Jensen Aabo. “We just wanted to win a hockey game against a world-class team. We didn’t need extra fire to fire us up.”

    Instead, the Danish approach centered on fundamental hockey values: relentless effort, emotional investment, and collective purpose. Nick Olesen, who scored the opening goal in a first period that ended 2-1 with Denmark threatening an upset, explained: “I think that’s what represents Denmark, to always work hard.”

    The team’s composition highlighted their achievement, dressing just three NHL players compared to the American roster filled with top-tier professionals. Other Danish players compete in leagues across Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, and Sweden.

    A Greenlandic flag spotted in the stands—reportedly displayed by Latvian supporters as a pro-European gesture rather than Greenlanders themselves—went largely unnoticed by the Danish players during competition. “I didn’t see it, but that was nice,” Jensen Aabo commented. “So hopefully they supported us.”

    Lars Eller, Denmark’s most experienced NHL player from the Ottawa Senators, emphasized the Olympic spirit that prevailed: “Obviously we see the news and you’re aware of what’s going on, but today and the time we spent in the Village, it’s all about sports, it was all about hockey.”

  • Will Abhishek Sharma play India-Pakistan match? Suryakumar responds

    Will Abhishek Sharma play India-Pakistan match? Suryakumar responds

    Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav has provided a tantalizing hint regarding all-rounder Abhishek Sharma’s potential participation in Sunday’s high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. The development comes after Sharma’s concerning hospitalization due to a stomach infection that forced him to miss India’s previous match against Namibia.

    At Saturday’s pre-match press conference in Colombo, Yadav responded to Pakistani captain Agha’s public wish for Sharma’s recovery with characteristic wit. “If the Pakistan cricket team’s captain wants him to play,” Yadav remarked with a cheeky smile, “we will play him tomorrow.”

    The speculation around Sharma’s availability has dominated pre-match discussions, particularly after he was spotted practicing at the R. Premadasa Stadium nets on February 14th. His tournament began disastrously with a golden duck against the United States, followed by his medical emergency that required hospital treatment.

    Pakistani skipper Agha had earlier expressed genuine concern for Sharma’s wellbeing while acknowledging his quality. “We all know he is a good player,” Agha stated, “and I really hope he plays tomorrow because we want to compete against India’s strongest lineup. I hope he is recovering well.”

    The medical team’s assessment of Sharma’s condition will ultimately determine his participation in what both captains acknowledge is far more than “just another game” in the tournament.

  • Dubai Duty Free Women’s Tennis Championship draw confirmed; details here

    Dubai Duty Free Women’s Tennis Championship draw confirmed; details here

    The prestigious Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has officially unveiled its tournament draw for the 2026 WTA 1000 event, setting the stage for an electrifying week of world-class tennis competition. This 26th edition of the women’s championship, scheduled from February 15-24 at the newly renovated Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, showcases an exceptionally strong field featuring 16 of the world’s top 20 players.

    The tournament boasts an impressive roster of six Grand Slam singles champions who collectively hold nine major titles. Leading the pack is recent Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, who enters as the top seed and world No. 3. The draw positions Rybakina for a potential second-round encounter with Germany’s Tatjana Maria after receiving a first-round bye alongside the other top eight seeds.

    On the opposite side of the draw, second seed Amanda Anisimova could face a challenging Round of 32 matchup against two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova, the 2023 Dubai champion, provided Krejcikova advances past her opening match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

    The competition features several notable storylines, including the return of defending champion Mirra Andreeva, who made history with her victory last year. The draw also includes 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff (No. 3 seed), world No. 9 Elina Svitolina (No. 7 seed), 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko (No. 10 seed), and British No. 1 Emma Raducanu.

    Adding to the international flavor, rising Philippine star Alexandra Eala will face American Hailey Baptiste in her opening match, with the winner advancing to challenge 2024 Dubai champion Jasmine Paolini. Eala, who attended the draw ceremony, expressed excitement about the strong Filipino support expected in Dubai, noting the significance of representing her heritage before the substantial overseas Filipino community in the Middle East.

    Tournament organizers announced four wildcard entries: Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey, Sara Bejlek from the Czech Republic, New Zealand’s Lulu Sun, and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen. In an interesting draw coincidence, Sonmez and Bejlek are set to face each other in the opening round.

    The event will showcase newly enhanced facilities, including a expanded Court One with 2,000 seating capacity and an upgraded Tennis Village, reflecting Dubai’s ongoing commitment to hosting world-class sporting events.